OBJECTIVEReal-time RT-PCR, cell culture and embryonated eggs culture for influenza detection were compared by analyzing the data of influenza surveillance in Shenzhen in second half of 2009.

METHODS1092 clinical samples (throat swabs) collected during second half of 2009 were tested by real-time RT-PCR, cell culture and embryonated eggs culture, and the results were analyzed by statistical methods.

RESULTSThe positive rate were 54.21%, 27.11% and 16.21% using real-time RT-PCR, cell culture and embryonated eggs culture, and the sensitive were 100%, 50% and 29.9%. The lowest dilutions of virus detected by real-time RT-PCR were 10(-2) TCID50/ml.

CONCLUSIONThe sensitive of real-time RT-PCR was higher than culture and the specificity was also very high. It was more suitable for emergency detect. The sensitive of cell culture for H3N2 subtype was higher, and sensitive of embryonated eggs culture for type B was higher.